Committee approves consultant authority for phased rehabilitation of Carter Road lift bridge; state grant covers part of phase 1

The committee approved an emergency ordinance (1782025) authorizing the director of capital projects to retain consultants to design and manage rehabilitation of the Carter Road lift bridge and to pursue additional gifts, grants or loans.

City staff told the committee the administration received a $20 million state grant from the Ohio local major bridge project fund toward the bridge work; the grant alone does not cover a full rehabilitation. Staff said the contract authorized by the ordinance will let the city split the work into phases, seek additional grants, and plan construction. The schedule presented for phase 1 construction runs from July 2027 to December 2029.

Committee members pressed the administration for funding details. The director said the administration expects to sell $1.5 million in 2025 capital bonds and will seek additional state and other grant funding; the total project cost remains unknown and the consultant will help define the overall scope and cost. Councilman Casey made and the committee approved an amendment that narrowed Section 3’s funding language so it would not allow the director to pull costs “from any and all other funds” without limitation; the amendment was accepted by administration staff.

The committee approved the ordinance as amended. Staff said rehabilitation timing follows typical major lift-bridge cycles (roughly every 25 years) and the consultant will finalize phasing and funding strategy.